Donald J. Plaugic
Mr. Donald J. Plaugic of Kearny died Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, with his family at his bedside.
He was 85.
Relatives and friends may visit on Friday, Feb. 7, in the Condon Funeral Home 684 Kearny Ave., Kearny, from 4-8 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Don had been a machinist with Standard Tool in North Arlington for 40 years before retiring. He was an avid fisherman in his spare time.
He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Pauline (nee Gerstenmaier) (2013) and is survived by his children, Debra Diglio (Paul), Paula Bardzilowski (the late Ron), Donna Pedati (Phil) and Donald J. Plaugic Jr. (Angie). He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren to cherish his memory.
Henry D. ‘Hank’ Girdwood
Henry D. “Hank” Girdwood, 88 of Kearny died Jan. 26, 2020.
A funeral service was celebrated at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Cremation was private.
Born in Kearny, Hank was a lifelong resident. He worked as a violations officer for the Township of Kearny for many years until his retirement. A member of the Copestone Ophir F and A.M. Lodge, Hank also belonged to the VFW, and to the Scots-American Club, the Ulster Club and the Irish. He also served as a drum major for the Kearny Caledonian Club.
Hank was the beloved husband to the late Yolanda (nee Gaglio) Girdwood; loving father of Stephen Girdwood and his wife Carolyn, Victor Girdwood and his wife Ann and the late David and Michael Girdwood. He was the dear father-in-law of Michelle, grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of six.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Raffela T. Sodano
Raffela T. Sodano (nee Morena), 96, of Pine Brook, formerly of Kearny, died Jan. 26, 2020.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny. Entombment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. The Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny, was in charge.
Born in Jersey City, Raffela lived in Haskell and North Arlington before moving to Kearny over 50 years ago. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Stephen’s Church and enjoyed playing bingo.
Raffela was the beloved wife of the late Philip Sodano; loving mother of JoAnn Romano and the late Angela Ferriero; sister of the late Michael, Conrad, Mary and Anna. She was also the cherished grandmother of Lori McGovern and her husband John, Dawn Kidd and her husband Andrew, Philip Ferriero and his wife Corine, Jennifer Romano and Michael Romano.
Roger J. Donnelly Sr.
Roger J. Donnelly Sr. died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at his home in the Ponds, Monroe Twp.
He was 86.
Roger was born in New Brunswick. He lived in Harrison for many years and has resided in the Ponds, Monroe Twp. since 2005. He was a chief bridge operator for Jackson Street Bridge in Hudson County and retired in 2006.
He was a past exalted ruler of BPOE Lodge 2180, Jamesburg, a member of American Legion Post 522, Monroe Twp., and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council in Harrison.
He was pre-deceased by his son, Roger J. Donnelly Jr. and two brothers, Edward J. Donnelly Sr. and Kenneth J. Donnelly.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kathleen (Haggerty) Donnelly of the Ponds, Monroe Twp., one cousin, Vincent Leftt, two daughters, Debra Diane Rozman and her husband James, and Jody Lynn Strickland and her husband Dale, six grandchildren, one great-grandson, two sisters-in-law, Ida Donnelly and Maureen Donnelly, his loving caregiver, Patricia Corica, and many other extended family members.
Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday January 30, 2020 and from 8:45am to 9:15am on Friday January 31, 2020 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. 205 Rhode Hall Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831. Funeral services will begin at 9:15am on Friday from the funeral home. A funeral liturgy will be 10:00am at Nativity of Our Lord RC Church, 185 Applegarth Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 followed by Entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, North Arlington, NJ.
For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to either The Elks National Foundation, Inc. 2750 N. Lakeview Ave. Chicago, IL 60614-2256, enf.elks.org/tribute, Homeside Hospice, 67 Walnut Ave., Ste. 205, Clark, NJ 07066, www.homesidehospice.com, OR to the charity of one’s choice.
Hannah ‘Nan’ Comes
Hannah “Nan” Comes, (nee Barnicott), 96, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Alaris at Belgrove, Kearny.
A funeral service took place at Christ Episcopal Church, Harrison. Interment was in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. The Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny, was in charge.
Mrs. Comes was born and raised in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, she later moved to East Newark and had lived in Kearny since 1960.
Nan is survived by her daughters, Mary Jane Gallagher and her husband, Donald and Judith Heath and her husband, Ed. She was the grandmother of Daniel Heath and Donald and Sarah Jane Gallagher and great-grandmother of Megan, John, Evan, Emily, Amy, and Emma. She was the aunt of Nick, Rob and Barry Bowness. Hannah will also be missed by her niece and best friend June Thomas.
Mrs. Comes was predeceased by her husband, Woodrow M. Comes.
Marion E. Dilkes
Marion E. Dilkes (nee Szematowicz) died Jan. 28, 2020.
She was 73.
Born in Newark, she lived in Harrison and then lived for the past 50 years in Kearny.
Marion worked as a supervisor for Meals on Wheels in Kearny.
She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother and a loyal Elvis fan. She was the mother of Joseph Dilkes (Julie), Patty Muro and Mike Dilkes (Lauren). Sister of Joseph Szematowicz (Ivy), she is also survived by her grandchildren Scott, Megan, Samantha, Jessica, Nicole and Travis; her nephews Danny and Brett and her “grandpups” Harley and Sara.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Joseph C. Spedding
Joseph C. Spedding died at home on Jan. 26, 2020.
He was 62.
Private arrangements are by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny.
Joe was the son of Norma and the late Arthur Spedding. He is also survived by his daughter Jennifer Barrientos, one brother, one sister and a grandchild.
